In current years, a brand new “world” took over Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World, changing among the much less well-liked areas of the park. Disney’s Pandora – The World of AVATAR is a fantastic new land, providing fast service meals, two points of interest, and an immersive expertise. Planning a visit to Pandora at Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Here’s every part you’ll want to learn about Disney Pandora – The World of AVATAR.
Disclosure: I had the chance to attend the Disney Pandora – The World of AVATAR press occasion for free of charge. I’ve returned many instances at my very own value. All opinions are my very own. Affiliate hyperlinks are included – we might make a small fee if you buy by way of our hyperlink at no further value to you.
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Pandora – The World of AVATAR options one new quick-service restaurant, two fabulous new points of interest, a present store providing unique merchandise, and a drink/snack stand. Pandora is situated within the previous Camp Minnie-Mickey space at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and is a brief stroll from the park’s entrance entrance.
The entire space is totally themed for Pandora – it’s probably the most immersive expertise that I’ve witnessed at a theme park. Animal Kingdom, which actually was once thought of extra of a half-day park, is now positively extra of a full-day park with the addition of this land.
Everything You Need to Know About Disney Pandora – The World of AVATAR
Even simply strolling by way of Pandora is an expertise. As you enter the Valley of Mo’ara, you’ll see a lot of the plants and tradition of Pandora, together with a Na’vi drum circle that friends can play, a plaska reclinata that sprays water if you contact it, waterfalls, vegetation, and the well-known floating mountains of Pandora. It appears to be like utterly totally different at evening, so that you’ll in all probability wish to go to Pandora twice – throughout the day and after darkish.
The Attractions of Disney Pandora – The World of AVATAR
When you hear about Pandora – The World of AVATAR, you’re prone to hear about Avatar Flight of Passage, which is certainly the spotlight of the land. The .3-mile queue is an expertise in itself – full of stunning vegetation, and a realistic-looking lab the place you’ll see a life-sized avatar.
Avatar – Flight of Passage
With Avatar Flight of Passage, you may have the chance to expertise a Na’vi proper of passage – flying a banshee. After going by way of the queue, you’ll stroll right into a room the place you’ll be scanned on your excellent avatar.
There are just a few totally different variations of this pre-show – I went by way of it just a few instances and noticed a barely totally different present every time. After you’re matched with an avatar, you’ll undergo one other room the place you’ll study in regards to the experience.
If you may have a lightning lane reservation (not a part of Genie+, provided for a further charge) for the experience, you’ll cross by way of the queue, however will have the ability to see the preshow to get scanned on your avatar. While the experience queue is very well accomplished, you’ll in all probability wish to buy the lightning lane to keep away from ready in line for too lengthy.
I’ve already heard lots of chatter in regards to the Avatar Flight of Passage experience car, so I’ll deal with what I skilled. The experience car is much like a bike, and after you’re seated, you’ll be “sealed” in. That entails one thing that holds your again, in addition to your legs.
I positively don’t like enclosed areas, however didn’t have a difficulty in any respect – I simply felt safe. The experience car does have a measurement constraint, however there’s a pattern exterior the experience that you may strive earlier than going by way of the queue. There are eight autos in every room, and sixteen folks undergo the pre-show at a time (two rooms of eight are linked).
This is a movement simulator experience, so that you’ll be handed 3D glasses earlier than you go on the experience. I do get movement illness, particularly on movement simulation points of interest like Star Tours, so I used to be involved.
Avatar Flight of Passage is a cross between Soarin’ and Star Tours, however much more immersive. I did really feel the movement and began to get just a little movement sick. But I discovered that closing my eyes, only for a second, helped.
Honestly, the experience is so breathtaking and incredible that you simply actually gained’t wish to miss something. It’s wonderful – you’ll actually end up ducking, bobbing, and weaving as you undergo the experience. The smells, sensations (water truly calmly sprays at you at simply the proper moments), and sights are spectacular. So, in the event you do want to shut your eyes, attempt to solely do it for a second.
Wondering if it’s well worth the wait? In my opinion, it’s – however I’d positively advocate going early within the day for the shortest traces or buy a lightning lane to avoid wasting time.
Na’vi River Journey
The Na’vi River Journey is certainly the calmest of the 2 new points of interest. Similar to Pirates of the Caribbean or it’s a small world, you’ll board a ship that takes you on a fantastic journey by way of the bioluminescent rainforest.
During your boat experience, you’ll seek for the Shaman of Songs. It’s a darkish experience, however not scary, so it’s positively nice for households. Everything is totally stunning – my picture above actually doesn’t do it justice as a result of it’s so onerous to {photograph} at midnight whereas driving a transferring car.
The Food at Disney Pandora – The World of AVATAR
Satu’li Canteen at Pandora
I’ve all the time beloved the meals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, however the Satu’li Canteen at Pandora takes issues to the following degree. Officially the unique “mess hall” on the RDA (Resources Development Administration), Satu’li Canteen presents some fabulous, distinctive meals choices.
Pictured above is the Cheeseburger Pod. Each chunk tastes similar to a deconstructed cheeseburger, however even tastier. The restaurant additionally presents built-your-own Satu’li bowls – my favourite protein was positively the scrumptious chopped wood-grilled rooster.
This has change into some of the well-liked fast service areas at Walt Disney World, so arrive early or late to be sure you can get a seat. You also can order meals on-line by way of the My Disney Experience app to avoid wasting time in line.
Right throughout from the Satu’li Canteen is Pongu Pongu, a stand that gives two frozen drink choices (one alcoholic, one non-alcoholic) in addition to two draft beer choices.
They additionally provide a yummy dessert/snack – Pongu Lumpia – a pineapple cream cheese spring roll. I had the Mo’ara Margarita (flavored with strawberry and blood orange with boba balls) and it was completely scrumptious and refreshing.
The Merchandise at Disney Pandora – The World of AVATAR
Outside of Avatar Flight of Passage is Tradewinds – the reward store at Pandora providing a variety of unique new merchandise. Guests can undertake a banshee that may sit in your shoulder and is managed by an connected distant.
You also can make your personal Na’vi necklace and buy your very personal avatar. Tradewinds additionally presents glow merchandise, Na’vi headpieces and tails, and way more.
I couldn’t go away with out buying this pockets/iPhone case, which glows when your cellphone rings or when it’s opened. Some, however not all, of the Pandora merchandise, is on the market on-line on the Disney Store (the choice will range).
At the doorway of Pandora is the Colors of Mo’ara the place you may have your face painted in Na’vi-inspired designs.
If you’re searching for a lodge on your Walt Disney World trip, I like to recommend the next accommodations. Note that I’ve stayed in a few of these resorts as a part of press journeys, however all opinions are my very own.
You also can use this interactive map to search out extra affiliate accommodations.
More Resources: Want to know extra about Disney World rides? Click right here to learn all of our posts about Disney rides and points of interest.
